SM
Everton vs. Liverpool: 8 hrs 9 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
HL
Championship | Gameweek 23
Jan 2, 2021 at 3pm UK
The John Smith's Stadium
RL

Huddersfield
1 - 2
Reading

Campbell (6')
Mbenza (44'), Toffolo (69')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Joao (52', 65')
Holmes (63')

Veljko Paunovic believes Huddersfield win could be a turning point

:Headline: Veljko Paunovic believes Huddersfield win could be a turning point: ID:428967: from db_amp
The Royals came from behind to win for the first time under Veljko Paunovic.

Veljko Paunovic believes Reading's 2-1 win at Huddersfield signalled a change in their mentality.

For the first time under his management, the Royals won a game after going behind.

Lucas Joao's impressive second half brace turned the game on its head in West Yorkshire after Fraizer Campbell had given Town an early lead.

Paunovic said: "We know we win a lot when we take the lead first, but we knew due to the data that when we concede first we're not capable of winning usually.

"We needed to improve that and to be honest I've heard that's been a problem (for the club) in the past.

"We are addressing that now. It was a fantastic win and especially coming from behind.

"Conceding early affected our plans, but we put in one of the best performances this season.

"I'm so excited with the performance that we put in and am grateful for everything they did today.

"This is a huge improvement in our identity and mentality. Belief will only grow now."

Paunovic had particular praise for match-winner Joao, who was making his first appearance since December 9 due to injury.

The Portuguese's goals were his 15th and 16th of the campaign.

Paunovic said: "His performance was fantastic. I was impressed with his fitness and, after a three-week injury, this sharpness and form was great to see.

"He played 75 minutes and he almost played a perfect game."

The hosts started the brighter and went ahead after just six minutes, Campbell thumping home a header from from Isaac Mbenza's precise centre.

That was as good as it got for Town in the first half, though.

Reading slowly grew into the contest, Sone Aluko coming close on two occasions and Tom Holmes seeing a point-blank header kept out by an alert Ryan Schofield.

Huddersfield had a chance to double their lead early in the second half as Lewis O'Brien's ball in just evaded Mbenza, but instead it was the visitors who hit back.

Joao latched on to a long punt upfield to equalise in the 52nd minute and then fired home the winner from outside the area 13 minutes later.

Town pushed to get back into the match, but their best chance saw Mbenza put an effort wide of a post as the visitors held on.

Head coach Carlos Corberan said: "The team started really well and the opening minutes were fantastic.

"After we scored we had lots of the ball. But in the second part of the first half they grew into it.

"We needed to adapt better and then after the break they created more chances.

"We had a chance (to go 2-0) but missed and then with one long ball they drew level.

"Then they started to feel more confidence. They went 2-1 up but we reacted, unfortunately it was not enough from us."

amp_article__428967 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2021-01-02 18:11:59:
html db last update - 2021-03-11 10:51:53 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html
Read more!

Click here for more stories about Veljko Paunovic

Click here for more stories about Huddersfield Town

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leicester CityLeicester443041086394794
2Leeds UnitedLeeds44279880374390
3Ipswich TownIpswich432611685533289
4Southampton442591085612484
5West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom4420121267442372
6Norwich CityNorwich442191477611672
7Hull City431812136254866
8Coventry CityCoventry4217121366521463
9Middlesbrough44189176460463
10Preston North EndPreston44189175661-563
11Cardiff CityCardiff44195205061-1162
12Bristol City441611175147459
13Sunderland44168205251156
14Swansea CitySwansea441511185762-556
15Watford441217155958153
16Millwall441411194355-1253
17Stoke CityStoke441311204460-1650
18Queens Park RangersQPR441311204157-1650
19Blackburn RoversBlackburn441310215874-1649
20Plymouth ArgylePlymouth441212205869-1148
21Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds44138233968-2947
22Birmingham CityBirmingham441210224864-1646
23Huddersfield TownHuddersfield44917184774-2744
RRotherham UnitedRotherham44412283285-5324
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .